Equality in Hart Liz Glenn, Health and Policy Project Officer

What do we mean by equality? This means everyone having the same chances to do what they can. Some people may need extra help to get the same chances. The Equality Duty is a law that says that public bodies like local councils must think about treating people from different groups fairly and equally. This includes people who use council services and people who work for the council.

What do we mean by different groups? Disabled people Race - groups of people who come from different places, have different skin colours or have passports from different countries People of different ages Women and men People with different religions or beliefs, or with no religion or belief Lesbian, gay and bisexual and straight people People who have changed their sex Carers of disabled and older people

Better protection for disabled people Local councils may need to make reasonable adjustments. This means making changes so that people can access a service the council provides: Example 1 providing information in the best way for people with a disability to use, like in large print or in easy to read words Example 2 making sure council buildings can be used by people who have a disability, like level access and hearing loops

About Hart District Council What we do Housing including housing benefit Leisure Centres and Countryside Waste and recycling Health and wellbeing Environmental health (noise, pollution, food safety, pest control) Street cleaning Planning applications Parking Collect Council Tax Manage elections

Listening to residents The Council uses a range of information about the people who live in Hart to help us understand: – what local people need and what services are required to meet those needs – whether improvements could be made to existing Council services so that they better meet these needs – how any planned changes to services or new services may affect people

Listening to residents (continued) We want to make sure people from all the different groups mentioned earlier can tell us what they think and influence decisions the Council makes. We also want to celebrate the diversity that exists in Hart. Diversity means the mix of different people who live in the district. This mix makes Hart an interesting place to live. To do this we think we need to set up a network or forum of people from the different groups. This network or forum could meet in person or communicate by other methods.

Listening to residents (continued) Over to you… 1.What do you think would be the best way for the Council to make sure people with learning disabilities and their families can have their say on what the Council does? 2.Would you want to be part of a network or forum? 3.What support would you need in order to be involved in a network or forum?

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